Woodworm lifecycle

Within the woodworm lifecycle, there are 4 main stages a woodworm beetle goes through:

1. Woodworm begins breeding

2. Woodworm Larvae hatch

3. Woodworm larvae start to eat

4. Larvae turns into a Woodworm beetle - starting the whole process again

To help explain the woodworm lifecycle, we have detailed a typical woodworm lifecycle on pregnant female landing on timber below:

1. Woodworm begins breeding

The female beetle starts the lifecycle process by laying her eggs directly into the timber through cracks, crevices and existing flight holes. To protect the eggs they are not left on the surface of the timber.

2. Woodworm Larvae hatch

After a few weeks the eggs hatch downwards into the timber and produce larvae - this is the worm stage of the infestation.

3. Woodworm larvae start to eat

The woodworm larvae carries on for anywhere between 2 and 5 years. In that time the larvae eats its way up and down the timbers and causes structural damage to the timber. It is at this stage in the lifecycle that the frass, or dust, that is associated with woodworm is produced.

4. Larvae turns into a woodworm beetle

Towards the end of the woodworm lifecycle, larvae form a pupal chamber where it enlarges the tunneling towards the surface of the timber and pupates from the larval stage into an adult beetle. The adult beetle then eats its way through the last thin veneer of timber producing the round exit holes that you normally see.

From this point, the woodworm beetle causes very little damage to the timber. It is the round exit holes that normally identify timber that has been subjected to woodworm beetle infestation. The females live for between 10 and 14 days where as their male counterparts only live between 3 and 4 days. Once the adult male beetles have emerged from the chamber their sole purpose is to mate with as many female partners in their short lifespan and the lifecycle continues.

Find out more about woodworm & the woodworm lifecycle

To find out more about woodworm, visit the following webpages:

	What is woodworm What to know more about woodworm. Check out our basic guide on woodworm & the woodworm beetle More about What is Woodworm
	Woodworm tips Help and advice to help you identify a woodworm problem and whether the woodworm is serious or current. More about Woodworm Tips
	Woodworm treatment Watch our woodworm video and find out how to eradicate the woodworm problem More about Woodworm Treatment
	Woodworm survey Unsure if you have a woodworm problem? Contract Wise Property Care for a no obligation woodworm survey. Request a Woodworm Survey

Looking for additional woodworm advice

If you want to speak to someone regarding your woodworm problem, contact Wise Property Care today on 0800 65 22 678. Alternatively, use our Contact Form and we will organise one of our specialist to call and speak to you at a time convient for yourself.